Building up a sound brand...

MUSICALLY YOURS A.R.Rahman at his press conference in New Delhi on Monday to unveil the signature tune for WorldSpace satellite radio. — Photo: S. Subramanium
NEW DELHI: Its all about music. Fighting for space in the realm of sound, WorldSpace radio has moved from pricing the satellite radio just right to now roping in one of the biggest names in Indian music to get people to tune in. Having signed up A. R. Rahman, the leaders in satellite-based digital radio services have got him to compose a signature tune that will be used in all its communication campaigns.
"It is our vision to offer Indians a truly global radio experience -- giving them the variety, quality and the ability to choose what they want to listen to. Rahman has come to personify quality music and we are honoured to partner with him on our aggressive communication campaign to build our brand in India,'' said Corporate Vice-President WorldSpace.
The catchy tune incorporates different elements. From the sounds of nature to the rhythms of everyday life, Rahman is supposed to have woven the lyrical sounds of the sea, birdcalls and fishermen apart from other "everywhere'' sounds.
And making an appearance in the city, Rahman said: "WorldSpace has created a unique platform that not only keeps alive various forms of music but also extends the reach of this music to virtually the entire country and even abroad. When creating the tune I wanted to bring alive the true sounds of India as a showcase of the depth of musical traditions available in the country.''
With it possible to get a WorldSpace radio receiver for less than Rs. 2,000, people can now hear 40 music channels. And having launched an aggressive campaign, WorldSpace radio has grown from 21,000 subscribers in March 2005 to more than 110,000 subscribers in 2006.

'Jodha Akbar's music will satisfy critics, music lovers: A R Rahman

Often considered as the 'Mozart of Asia,' musician A R Rahman has done everything from classical to reggae and now with Shekhar Kapoor 's 'Elizabeth: the Golden Age' awaiting release, where he pairs up with Hollywood actor Craig Armstrong, he is very excited."It has been really a wonderful experience working with Craig. We traveled a lot in places like Glasgow...Remotely working with the guys in London," says Rahman who was in New Delhi recently.
The singer-composer has his hands full with a lot of films, the latest being Ashutosh Gowarikar ‘s Jodha Akbar starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan."Jodha Akbar is a romantic story about a king falling in love with a princess and I have tried to keep the music contemporary so that it satisfies both critics and the music lovers," he says."The music of the film is very much what is required for the film. We have celebration songs and quawallis," he adds. Rahman, who composed the music of Subhash Ghai 's Kisna is once again paring up with the director in his latest flick, Main Yuvraj ."Yuvraaj is a very challenging project. We had a hard time composing the first two songs but now as those have been cracked, we hope we will be able to wrap it up quickly," he says."We have a very unlikely combination in this film as we have Gulzar saab, Subhash Ghaiji and me in this venture," he adds. Rahman who was in the city to mark the one-year celebration of an FM channel, will be performing live in the capital in November for the first time."I was planning to perform in Delhi for the last 10 years and now I have got the chance to perform and I am very excited about it," he says.Rahman had composed the tracks of Sivaji , which struck gold at the box office in India and abroad and now since the film is being dubbed in Hindi, Rahman is a little apprehensive about it."After a long time, I have decided to dub my songs in Hindi. I had almost stopped dubbing in Hindi but this time I am convinced that it will do well. The music is ready and will be released soon," he says.While other music directors of tinsel town have already started cashing on their popularity by joining the small screen and also vying for the big screen, Rahman is unperturbed and says he is a musician and would love to remain so."I have enough musical commitments to fulfill and I love to be a musician and would love to continue the good work. And anyways, I am not well versed in acting so it doesn't matter to me," he says.

A R Rehman becomes ad model!

“Till 2001, I was not too keen on earning tons of money. Only after building my own studio did I get the desire to make money.”

A R Rehman who has been composing music for films and English stage plays is becoming a model, that too for a big company. There’s lot of money to be made from modeling for ads.
When director Shekar Kapoor introduced A R Rehman to Andrew Lloyd Weber, it brought about a turning point in Rehman’s career. He entered international circles after composing music for ‘Bombay Dreams’ and for a Chinese film.
Now music from his ‘Taal’ mixed with rap has come out as an album. His ‘thaiya thaiya’ from ‘Uyire’ even finds place in Spike Lee’s Hollywood film. Even as these milestones are happening, it was a matter of disappointment that his music for ‘Lord of the Rings’ did not go down favorably with the viewers. But this has in no way tarnished his reputation says a world famous company.
World Space Satellite Radio has signed on A R Rehman as their publicity model.
A R Rehman is to compose some special music for them. In connection with this, Shishir Lal of World Space Satellite Radio says, “Rehman’s music will help us reach music lovers across the globe.”
Sachin earns more money through his modeling assignments than through his game on the field. Now World Space Radio has opened the doors to riches and we heartily approve of Rehman agreeing to be their model.
This is a boon to music and heaven to music lovers!

Rahman released new patriotic album Jana Gana Mana

A decade after Rahman sang the ‘Vande Mataram’ in a tune reflective of the mood of a nation that was 50 years young, Allah Rakha Rahman aka A R Rahman Saturday released Jana Gana Mana, his musical score of India’s National Anthem, in Chennai.The album was released in Sathyam Cinemas as part of the celebration of the country’s 60th year of independence. It was also promoted at Music World, Spencers Plaza, Chennai.With some of the big names of Indian music industry, ranging from D K Pattammal to SP Balasubramanium and Balamuralikrishna to Lata Mangeshkar lending their voices, the album is a yet another venture from the Bharatbala-Rahman duo that came out with Vande Mataram in 1997.Rahman said it was of great value to score music for the national anthem.Responding to a query, he said he could not single out any particular singer as his favourite from a collection of 35 soundtracks. “Everybody is so impressive,” he said. The DVD has 25 film strips shot in different locations in India.The man, who is now tasting success at the international arena, has not given any solo number and declined to comment on why it was so.Bharatbala, the producer of Jana Gana Mana, appreciated Rahman for his support for the venture.

A.R.Rahman to perform for noble cause

Come December, AR Rahman will perform in Delhi for a live audience that is likely to include Kofi Annan and Bill Gates. The concert will be for the cause of fight against tuberculosis.
It is learnt that the Union Health Ministry has appointed Rahman as an ambassador in the battle against the disease.
Jointly organized by WHO and the Indian Health Ministry, the concert will be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium on December 3 this year. The event is a part of the inauguration of the 2nd Stop TB Partners Forum.
The list of invitees in the forum includes the likes of Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, UN Secretary Kofi Annan, Microsoft head Bill Gates and Ministerial delegations from 22 major countries
As the ambassador for fight against TB, Rahman will be doing a number of such performances in the future.

Is Rahman the best composer we have?

A R Rahmans’s three songs, ‘Khalbali’ and ‘Lukha Chipi’ from ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Chan Chan’ from ‘Water’ have been shortlisted amongst top 56 songs of Oscars this year. It’s a big honour for the man and the country. This reclusive genius who works at his own terms and conditions (he records at night and everyone complies) has been weaving musical gems for more than fifteen years now. It’s obvious to ask, if he is the best music composer we have…
Having started off with Mani Rathnam’s mellifluous ‘Roja’, Rahman set a new trend in terms of electronic sound and new age music arrangements. He has always laid a lot of importance on high class production values, choice of the most melodious singers (he has given break to many new voices) and has consistently raised his own bar. His prowess in South film industry is unparalleled. But his music score in Hindi films like ‘Bombay’, ‘Rangeela’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Lagaan’, ‘Yuva’, Saathiya’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’ carries a timeless value. It can withstand the test of time. For each time you listen to a ‘Tu Hi Re’, ‘Chaiyaa Chaiyaa’, ‘Rangeela Re’, Mitwa’, ‘Humdum Suniyo Re’, ‘Khuda Hafiz’, ‘Paathshaala’ or ‘Rubaru’ you feel as if you’ve heard it for the first time. The freshness quotient in his music carries a tinge of mint.
His last release ‘Guru’ is a mixed bag. But even then, a few of the songs like ‘Tere Bin’, ‘Barso Re’ and ‘Jaage Hain’ are miles ahead of any of the other music compositions in the recent times. A fantastic singer (as is evident in his rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’) Rahman never went overboard in promoting himself as a singer the way a few upstart music composers have done in the recent past. Rahman’s live performances are always sold out and he is the highest paid star while performing abroad (matching the biggest superstars). The biggest compliment comes his way when any and every music composer in Bollywood tries to copy him (recent example being Anu Malik in his music arrangements of ‘Jaaneman’ soundtrack).
Finally, A Rahman is definitely the finest music composer in Bollywood at the moment. And here record sales are not the criterion for saying that. Even Altaf Raja can sell a crore copies of ‘Tum To There Pardesi’. The criterion is the union of commercial viability and unmistakable virtuosity as a genius. ‘Rang De Basanti’ is one of the recent examples from his repertoire where he blends brilliance of music with exceptional artistic sensibilities. ‘Rubaru’, ‘Khalbali’, ‘Lukha Chipi’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Paathshaala’ entertain and ignite a passion-for-change at the same time.
Indiaglitz wishes A R Rahman all the best in his endeavour to bring more laurels to the country. Hope he brings an Oscar home…

Vijay sings for A R Rahman

Vijay has recorded a song for A R Rahman. The two have come together for Azhagiya Tamil Magan.
Though he has several numbers to his credit, it is the first time Vijay has recorded a song set to tunes by A R Rahman.
The movie featuring Vijay in dual roles is directed by Bharathan. Shriya is paired opposite him. Rahman has also lent his voice in the album.
Buzz is that Vijay has rendered a racy entertainer which is sure to rock the music-buffs.
Azhagiya Tamil Magan, a commercial entertainer, is fast shaping up for a release this Independence Day.
A major portion of the movie is already completed.